Chapter 4

Chapter Four

B arron

I take a step closer, and now I can see her better. Slim but strong, all fire and fury wrapped up in tight jeans. Her chest rises and falls quickly, the tension between us is thick enough to cut.

"You've got a lot of nerve, walking onto my land and telling me how to manage it," I say, my voice low. I should send her packing. Hell, I know that's the right thing to do, but something about her defiance stirs something primal in me. I should hate the way she's squaring off against me, but instead, it's like a challenge I didn't know I wanted.

Her fists clench at her sides, eyes burning into me. "Maybe if you knew anything about the environment, you wouldn't be so quick to destroy it."

I step even closer, close enough now that I can see the fire in her eyes isn't just anger. There's something else there, something that pulls at me, makes my blood run hotter. "And maybe if you knew anything about boundaries, you wouldn't be trespassing." My voice is rough, almost a growl. Her defiance is like fuel to a flame I can't seem to control.

Her lips part, and I catch a flash of teeth as she glares up at me. She's standing her ground, even though I'm towering over her, all muscle and fury. "I'm not trespassing. I'm protecting something bigger than you."

There's something electric in the air now, crackling between us. My hands are clenched tight at my sides, but not because I'm angry. Not anymore. The heat between us is almost suffocating. I glance down, taking in the curve of her hips, the fire in her stance. The stubborn line of her jaw is as sharp as the words coming out of her mouth.

"You should leave," I say, my voice dropping to a near whisper. "Now."

She doesn't move. Doesn't even flinch. Instead, she takes a step closer, her eyes narrowing. "Make me."

It's not a dare. It's a command, and it lights me up like a match to dry wood. I close the last inch of space between us, my breath mingling with hers. She's breathing hard, her chest rising and falling in time with mine. Everything is moving too fast, but it's too late to stop it now.

Without thinking, without hesitation, I grab her arm—not rough, but firm enough to let her know I'm not playing anymore. Her breath catches, eyes widening for a split second before narrowing again, daring me to do more.

And then, I do.

My lips crash against hers again, rough, demanding, full of everything I've been holding back. She gasps against my mouth, but she doesn't pull away. No, she leans into me, her body melting into mine even as her hands come up to my chest, pushing, pulling, unsure if she wants to resist or dive in headfirst.

Her lips are soft, but there's nothing gentle about this kiss. It's fire and fury, all the tension between us exploding in a way neither of us expected. I taste her anger, her defiance, and something sweeter beneath it all—something that makes my blood race faster than before.

Her fingers dig into my chest, nails scraping against my shirt as she pushes back, her lips breaking free from mine for just a second. We're both breathing hard, eyes locked, and for a moment, I think she's going to say something. But then she grabs the front of my shirt and yanks me back down, pulling me into her as if she can't stand the space between us any longer.

The forest around us feels miles away.

I grunt, frustration forming a scowl on my features, before I turn on my booted heel and stalk off in the direction of my cabin. This woman is under my skin, and as much as I'm annoyed about it, I'm also hoping this won't be the last I see of her.